Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo ’99 (Rosado)
Binder: Nicaraguan Criollo ‘99
Filler: Nicaraguan Corojo ‘99, Corojo 2012, Criollo ‘98
Size: 5 x 54 Robusto
Strength: Medium-Full
Price: $13.90
My cigars have been laying naked in my humidor for two months.
Release: 2,000 boxes of 15 cigars produced by Aganorsa.
The first release, in 2021, was a Toro and had a Claro wrapper.
The Robusto has a Rosado wrapper. It was released in early 2023.
BACKGROUND:
If you want the lowdown on this blend, go to Halfwheel.com.
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
For a small cigar, it has some decent density. A nice floral aroma from the wrapper as I smell the usual Nic puro fragrances of dark chocolate, espresso, black pepper, caramel, cedar, and I swear I smell freshly cut cantaloupe. The brain is a terrible thing.
The draw is plugged. I snag my trusty PerfecDraw draw adjustment tool and clear the plug with its mighty stainless steel blades in one rotation. As is normally the case, the plug was at the cigar band location.
For a long time, I would describe the cigar in every detail. I’m too lazy for that now. Especially, since there are so many reviewers that do it beautifully.
Pretzel logic is the first flavor that does a Whittier Blvd cruise on my palate.
The cigar begins with a very promising complexity and depth. I sense the richness of tobacco is on the horizon. Big hopes.
Cinnamon, brown sugar, vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup, hazelnuts, black pepper, and cedar. Very nice start.
The burn is a slow roll.
The char line is dead nuts perfect.
Strength seems to begin at medium/full. Gulp.
Creaminess moves to the forefront and bows like an old man with a hip replacement…carefully, with no sudden moves.
If this blend continues this route, it will be a good day for Philly. Only old friends called me that. Up until my 40’s, I was dogged with the nickname Conehead. Doesn’t take much to figure that one out. The first time I reacted to that name being called out, I was dead meat. Now everyone that called me Conehead is deceased. When you are young, or young-ish, you look to the future. When you have more life behind you than ahead of you, you seek the past like a warm blankey. But we never look so far back that we don’t relish the future…such that it is. It is a very bizarre feeling that one may only have a few years left on the planet. I still feel young at heart but my body laughs at that one.
Where was I?
Richness shows itself to be complex and satisfying as I’ve burned only ¾’ in 10 minutes.
Black licorice reveals itself as a tasty morsel.
The spiciness started with a big bang but now finds its place by laying back and injecting the right amount of oomph as needed.
Oatmeal with cinnamon and cream. Malt enters. The finish finds a lovely way station in my roly poly fish head.
Considering today’s industry prices for new cigars, the $14 price tag is more than fair compared to lesser beings in that same range. You can get it a couple bucks less with my sponsors and that makes it a deal for this quality.
But then, I’ve always enjoyed HVC blends.
I’ve burned 1-1/2” in 25 minutes.
The sweet side dominates the savory. A distinct nuttiness and rich tobacco are the only batters for the savory side.
Saw something on TV last night that reminded me of this chestnut…When I was 14 in 1964, all the boys in homeroom made bets on the Cassius Clay vs. Sonny Liston fight. I was the only one to pick Ali. I cleaned up the next day and eviscerated a bunch of grumpy boys after school fries and milk shake money.
Surprisingly, the cigar blend is not an intense smoke. It is very delicate. It has the right components of complexity, depth, richness, and flavors to put a smirk on still dead Generalissimo Franco’s mouth.
Strength hits medium/full oh so gently at 1-3/4” burned.
Short breaks between puffs, sips of water…and the cigar breathes new life from the black lagoon. Absolutely delicious.
At this point, I’d say this is a great cigar for newbies that are adventurous. The strength is contained and not aneurysm inducing all the while delivering a full-bodied blend.
I enjoy reviewing on the weekend. It’s quiet and relaxing. But starting tomorrow (Sunday), I’m going to strictly review unicorns or cigars no longer available. And save the current for sale sticks for the weekdays. You know, I mean who wants to read a fucking cigar review when you’re out skydiving or bungee jumping…or performing Honey-do’s.
Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” put him on an FBI watch list. A troublemaker in 1960.
The ash lasts an inch and then delicately disembarks into my ashtray. I wonder if it can make Toll House cookies.
I watched a Paul McCartney concert on YouTube this week. It was filmed in 2022. A full two hours. His voice is fading but the man will be 81 on June 18. He stands the entire time, except for playing the piano, and gives it all he’s got. I admire the man for his energy and style. He was my first big influence on the bass. And yes, my first bass was a Hofner. Below is the only photo I have playing the Hofner. I was in a musical at Long Beach Community Playhouse in 1966. It is like finding Waldo as your eyes are immediately focused on legs and breasts. But I’m there. (Yes, it was a gay scene).
I get a minor anxiety attack every time I remove a cigar band. This one came off smooth as Sinatra. Too often, I fight with the devilish thing and end up tearing it off…damaging the wrapper. I nearly tore yesterday’s cigar to pieces. Thankfully, I had Dr. Rod’s PerfecRepair cigar glue. I managed to put the thing back together, Frankenstein’s Monster style, and continue my quest to finish the cigar. BTW- big reveal from PerfecSmoke coming soon. It includes contests for my readers to win some very cool stuff. Watch this space.
The halfway point arrives at 50 minutes. I am impressed. The art of not huffing and puffing extends the bliss. Plus, constant puffing can cause a large build up of tar in the second half. That’s no good.
Strength remains at medium/full but all my faculties are working. Very smooth blend.
For around $12, after my sponsors’ deals, this is a killer deal. I’m not trying to win points from sponsors, I’m trying to convey my recommendation that you will enjoy this cigar. I know sometimes it might seem to detractors that I’m a shill, but it ain’t true…never has been. Sponsors come and go. Readers are forever.
Dark chocolate, creaminess, espresso, black licorice, malt, nutty, cinnamon, black pepper, and brown sugar. Each flavor is distinct. Many great cigars grab the individual flavors and are eaten up by the complexity…which is OK. Diversity is fine with me.
The next 30 minutes are spent enjoying a beautifully blended cigar. The smoothness is remarkable. No sudden jerks. Just cruisin’. It becomes a flavor bomb with 1-1/2” to go.
Smoke time is 95 minutes.
Great blend.
Sponsors Small Batch Cigar (10% off with promo code ‘katman’), Luxury Cigar Club (15% off with promo code ‘katman’), and Atlantic Cigar…no promo code.
RATING: 94
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